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Spring Football Practice: Upshaw Getting More Comfortable
3/28/2015 3:15:00 PM | Football
Monday's practice is scheduled for 4 p.m. on the banks of Beautiful Eagle Creek
VIDEO: Practice Report | Photo Gallery | Spring Roster | 2015 Schedule | Buy Tickets
STATESBORO, Ga. – When Georgia Southern quarterback Favian Upshaw took a snap in the first quarter at NC State in the 2014 season opener, it was the first snap he had taken in a game since high school.
Factor in that he was injured in the second game of his senior high school season, and Upshaw had not seen major game action on a football field in over three years.
"It felt good to get back out there," said Upshaw. "I had a lot of learning lessons where I made some critical mistakes, but they were all good learning experiences for me. I learned a lot from last year, and the coaches have been helping me prepare for this year too."
Add a new coach in Willie Fritz and a new system, and one could see why it was a bit of an adjustment for the junior from Titusville, Fla. His comfort level and confidence continue to grow by the day.
"I'm picking it up way faster now," said Upshaw. "Last year, it was like Spanish. I feel like we're moving a lot faster, and I'm understanding it better."
Upshaw ran for 385 yards and two TDs, while averaging 9.6 yards a carry last year, and he threw for 285 yards and two scores. As much as the Eagle quarterbacks run the football, Fritz is happy he has two who are very capable.
"I've said this a couple times, but there have been years where I didn't feel like I had one starting quarterback, but with Favian and Kevin (Ellison), I feel like I have two," said Fritz.
The coaching staff had scheduled series for Upshaw in the game plans, but there were plenty of times in which Ellison took a hit and had to come out for a few plays. Coming off the bench cold at a moment's notice took Upshaw some getting used to.
"It was new for me in the beginning, but I try to stay ready the whole time," he said. "I'm watching Kevin, I'm seeing what he's doing out there and I'm trying to get mental reps. Mostly it's watching what the defense is doing while he's out there, seeing how they are playing him and execute the same thing when I go in."
Georgia Southern had its third practice of the spring Saturday on a cool, sunny day on the banks of Beautiful Eagle Creek. The Eagles went 26 periods in shoulder pads and helmets.
Monday's practice is scheduled for 4 p.m. on the banks of Beautiful Eagle Creek.
Remaining Spring Practice Schedule
Monday, March 30 - 4 p.m. - Eagle Creek
Wednesday, April 1
Friday, April 3
Saturday, April 4
Monday, April 6
Wednesday, April 8
Friday, April 10
Saturday, April 11
Monday, April 13
Wednesday, April 15
Friday, April 17
Saturday, April 18 – Spring Game
Second Annual Tailgate Cook-Off Set for Football Spring Game
Register for Tailgate Cook-Off
Do you put on the best tailgate? Do you grill up the best BBQ? Maybe you make a mean peach cobbler? Show Georgia Southern and Eagle Nation your skills at the Second Annual Spring Football Tailgate Cook-Off April 18 at Paulson Stadium. Tasting begins at 11 a.m.
The top-place tailgate and grill masters will claim the title of 2015 Spring Football Tailgate Cook-Off Champion, a one-of-a-kind trophy, a one-night stay at a hotel plus 2 tickets to the Georgia Southern vs. Georgia game in Athens Nov. 21, 2015, and of course, bragging rights. "True Blue Barbecue," Adam Pace and Jared Brown, won the inaugural Tailgate Cook-Off last year.
To enter the contest, a team or individual must register online by April 14 and pay a $20 cash fee per entry on site April 18. All teams or individuals are responsible for providing their own food and equipment for grilling/cooking and will be allowed only one vehicle inside the cook-off zone. Participants are encouraged to grill, cook, steam, etc. their best food for fans to enjoy.
Eagle fans are invited to serve as tasting judges for $3 to enter the tailgate zone, sample the food and complete a ballot to determine the top four. Scores from the tasting judges will be calculated and winners will be announced during the Blue-White Spring Football game. Tasting will begin at 11 a.m. and conclude at 12:30 p.m.
The second-place winner will receive four tickets and two sideline passes to the home football game against Texas State Oct. 29, 2015, on ESPNU. Third place will claim two tickets and two meal vouchers to the home football game against South Alabama Nov. 28, 2015. Fourth place will walk away with an autographed football and Georgia Southern prize pack.
EFAA Raffle
The Eagle Football Alumni Association (EFAA) will be holding its Eighth Annual $10,000 Reverse Raffle & Auction Sat., April 18, at 5 p.m. in the Gene Bishop Field House at Paulson Stadium following the Blue & White Spring Game.
There will be a silent and live auction, which will feature an array of items such as autographed memorabilia, vacation opportunities, once-in-a-lifetime Georgia Southern game experiences, vintage Georgia Southern Football memorabilia, autographed memorabilia from local professional teams and much more. In addition, the Third Edition Erk Russell Commemorative Shotgun will be auctioned off in the live auction. This year's theme for the shotgun is "Yellow School Buses." The final 10 tickets in the reverse raffle will be drawn after the live auction, and the final ticket will win $10,000.
2015 Schedule
Georgia Southern will face two Power Five conference teams, four teams that played in bowl games a year ago and will host six home games in Paulson Stadium in 2015. The Eagles have also been selected to play two games on nationally-televised ESPNU Thursday night broadcasts.
All home games and all Sun Belt Conference games will once again air on the ESPN platform.
Season tickets are on sale and can be purchased by visiting GSEagles.com/tickets or calling 1-800-GSU-WINS.
Georgia Southern Athletics provides up-to-date information on all its sports through its official website, GSEagles.com, through social media channels facebook.com/GSAthletics, twitter.com/GSAthletics, iOS app Georgia Southern Eagles and Android app Eagles GATA. Eagle fans can follow Coach Willie Fritz's twitter account @CoachWEFritz.
STATESBORO, Ga. – When Georgia Southern quarterback Favian Upshaw took a snap in the first quarter at NC State in the 2014 season opener, it was the first snap he had taken in a game since high school.
Factor in that he was injured in the second game of his senior high school season, and Upshaw had not seen major game action on a football field in over three years.
"It felt good to get back out there," said Upshaw. "I had a lot of learning lessons where I made some critical mistakes, but they were all good learning experiences for me. I learned a lot from last year, and the coaches have been helping me prepare for this year too."
Add a new coach in Willie Fritz and a new system, and one could see why it was a bit of an adjustment for the junior from Titusville, Fla. His comfort level and confidence continue to grow by the day.
"I'm picking it up way faster now," said Upshaw. "Last year, it was like Spanish. I feel like we're moving a lot faster, and I'm understanding it better."
Upshaw ran for 385 yards and two TDs, while averaging 9.6 yards a carry last year, and he threw for 285 yards and two scores. As much as the Eagle quarterbacks run the football, Fritz is happy he has two who are very capable.
"I've said this a couple times, but there have been years where I didn't feel like I had one starting quarterback, but with Favian and Kevin (Ellison), I feel like I have two," said Fritz.
The coaching staff had scheduled series for Upshaw in the game plans, but there were plenty of times in which Ellison took a hit and had to come out for a few plays. Coming off the bench cold at a moment's notice took Upshaw some getting used to.
"It was new for me in the beginning, but I try to stay ready the whole time," he said. "I'm watching Kevin, I'm seeing what he's doing out there and I'm trying to get mental reps. Mostly it's watching what the defense is doing while he's out there, seeing how they are playing him and execute the same thing when I go in."
Georgia Southern had its third practice of the spring Saturday on a cool, sunny day on the banks of Beautiful Eagle Creek. The Eagles went 26 periods in shoulder pads and helmets.
Monday's practice is scheduled for 4 p.m. on the banks of Beautiful Eagle Creek.
Remaining Spring Practice Schedule
Monday, March 30 - 4 p.m. - Eagle Creek
Wednesday, April 1
Friday, April 3
Saturday, April 4
Monday, April 6
Wednesday, April 8
Friday, April 10
Saturday, April 11
Monday, April 13
Wednesday, April 15
Friday, April 17
Saturday, April 18 – Spring Game
Second Annual Tailgate Cook-Off Set for Football Spring Game
Register for Tailgate Cook-Off
Do you put on the best tailgate? Do you grill up the best BBQ? Maybe you make a mean peach cobbler? Show Georgia Southern and Eagle Nation your skills at the Second Annual Spring Football Tailgate Cook-Off April 18 at Paulson Stadium. Tasting begins at 11 a.m.
The top-place tailgate and grill masters will claim the title of 2015 Spring Football Tailgate Cook-Off Champion, a one-of-a-kind trophy, a one-night stay at a hotel plus 2 tickets to the Georgia Southern vs. Georgia game in Athens Nov. 21, 2015, and of course, bragging rights. "True Blue Barbecue," Adam Pace and Jared Brown, won the inaugural Tailgate Cook-Off last year.
To enter the contest, a team or individual must register online by April 14 and pay a $20 cash fee per entry on site April 18. All teams or individuals are responsible for providing their own food and equipment for grilling/cooking and will be allowed only one vehicle inside the cook-off zone. Participants are encouraged to grill, cook, steam, etc. their best food for fans to enjoy.
Eagle fans are invited to serve as tasting judges for $3 to enter the tailgate zone, sample the food and complete a ballot to determine the top four. Scores from the tasting judges will be calculated and winners will be announced during the Blue-White Spring Football game. Tasting will begin at 11 a.m. and conclude at 12:30 p.m.
The second-place winner will receive four tickets and two sideline passes to the home football game against Texas State Oct. 29, 2015, on ESPNU. Third place will claim two tickets and two meal vouchers to the home football game against South Alabama Nov. 28, 2015. Fourth place will walk away with an autographed football and Georgia Southern prize pack.
EFAA Raffle
The Eagle Football Alumni Association (EFAA) will be holding its Eighth Annual $10,000 Reverse Raffle & Auction Sat., April 18, at 5 p.m. in the Gene Bishop Field House at Paulson Stadium following the Blue & White Spring Game.
There will be a silent and live auction, which will feature an array of items such as autographed memorabilia, vacation opportunities, once-in-a-lifetime Georgia Southern game experiences, vintage Georgia Southern Football memorabilia, autographed memorabilia from local professional teams and much more. In addition, the Third Edition Erk Russell Commemorative Shotgun will be auctioned off in the live auction. This year's theme for the shotgun is "Yellow School Buses." The final 10 tickets in the reverse raffle will be drawn after the live auction, and the final ticket will win $10,000.
2015 Schedule
Georgia Southern will face two Power Five conference teams, four teams that played in bowl games a year ago and will host six home games in Paulson Stadium in 2015. The Eagles have also been selected to play two games on nationally-televised ESPNU Thursday night broadcasts.
All home games and all Sun Belt Conference games will once again air on the ESPN platform.
Season tickets are on sale and can be purchased by visiting GSEagles.com/tickets or calling 1-800-GSU-WINS.
Georgia Southern Athletics provides up-to-date information on all its sports through its official website, GSEagles.com, through social media channels facebook.com/GSAthletics, twitter.com/GSAthletics, iOS app Georgia Southern Eagles and Android app Eagles GATA. Eagle fans can follow Coach Willie Fritz's twitter account @CoachWEFritz.
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